What Are Tips For Safe Storage Of Pool Products
- Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store products in the original containers.
- Be sure your storage area is well ventilated. Vapours may build up inside containers in high temperatures. Nose and throat irritation or more serious respiratory problems may result if inhaled.
- Never store oxidizers and acids near each other. Oxidizers will release chlorine gas if they come in contact with acids.
- Do not store liquids above powders or solids. Do not stack containers.
- Do not store products above your head.
- Do not store pool products near gasoline, fertilizers, herbicides, grease, paints, tile cleaners, turpentine, or flammable materials. This tip is especially important when pool products are stored in sheds or small storage rooms.
- Do not reuse containers. Wash out the container when empty and then dispose of it.
Tips For Adding Start
- Add Stain & Scale chemical first, especially for new plaster.
- Try PoolCalculator.com for amounts of start-up chemicals
- Add one chemical at a time, using a pool brush to distribute.
- Run filter pump while adding chemicals to circulate.
- Re-test the pool water after 8 hours of filter run time.
- Add chlorine shock when the sun is not directly overhead.
- Add algaecides last, after chlorine level drops below 3 ppm.
- See our Pool Start-Up Kits for all the chemicals needed.
Once the pool is opened, you will need to circulate, filter, clean and treat the pool water – every day. Consistent water balance, constant chlorine levels and effective filtering is important to prevent water problems.
And, as the water temperature and pool usage increases through the summer, you will need more hours of daily filtering, and more chlorine tablets to maintain sanitation and clarity.
Our Conclusion On Necessary Above Ground Pool Chemicals To Have On Hand
We hope our guide and tips going over what chemicals you need for your above ground swimming pool and also how to put chemicals in your swimming pool for the first time have been helpful to you.
Whenever you are about to add a new chemical to your swimming pool, we always recommend reading the chemicals instructions carefully and making exact measurements.
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Inventory Your Pool Chemicals
You’ll want to have all of your chemicals ready to go before you start opening your pool.
Chemicals Checklist:
Need to do a pre-opening pool chemical supply run? Here’s what you’ll need to get the job done right:
- A good test kit or test strips for checking your pool’s water chemistry
- Chlorine for daily sanitizing
- Filter cleaner or other necessary problem prevention products
How Should I Clean Up Small Spills
Any spills larger than 50 kg should be handled as an emergency and the fire department called immediately. If in doubt of what to do, call the fire department or your local chemical spill emergency response centre.
Before cleaning up a small spill:
- Make sure that the product is dry and has not mixed with other products.
- Use caution if the product has mixed with other materials or if the product is reacting or the containers are bulging.
- If there is any sign that a chemical reaction is happening, evacuate the area immediately and contact your local fire department for help.
- Wear protective gloves, boots and aprons made of butyl rubber or neoprene .
- Wear safety goggles – goggles offer better protection against liquid splashes and airborne dust than glasses. Goggles that are called ‘”indirectly vented” or “non-ventilated” chemical resistant will help prevent liquids from splashing and reaching the eyes. Face shields may be worn in combination with the goggles.
- Ventilate the area if indoors.
- Carefully place the spilled product in a clean, dry plastic bag or container. Place this filled plastic bag inside another bag when finished.
- Keep an eye on the product once it has been picked up. A reaction may be delayed.
- Dispose of the product according to manufacturer instructions and according to local regulations.
DO NOT
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The Swimming Pool Cleaning Process
Pool chemicals are necessary to keep pools clean.
Sanitizers kill germs, bacteria, viruses, mold, algae, and more.
To keep a pool clean, people need to be careful about what they use to wash themselves and their families. They also need to be careful about how much they use.
Pool chemicals should be added to the pool to make sure it stays clean and safe. Algae needs to be removed to avoid staining and damage to the pool walls. Hard water requires more chemicals than soft or regular water to remove stains.
Knowing what to test for, use and how to mix them is important to keeping your pool healthy. So what is first when it comes to testing and adding pool chemicals in the correct order?
What Pool Closing Chemicals Do You Need
Aside from your water balance chemicals used to adjust pH, alkalinity or calcium hardness, these are the chemicals most commonly used to winterize pools.
Its no coincidence that our Winter Closing Kits contain these exact chemicals, plus a Winter-Sorb to absorb floating oils. The only other chemical you may need is our non-toxic Pool Anti-Freeze, used to protect skimmers, and pool plumbing pipes from freezing.For even more protection from stains, scale and algae growth, our Pool Closing Kits are also available with Natural Chemistry treatments shown above, and with the Winter Pill, both recommended for clearer and cleaner spring openings.
Below is an FAQ for YOU Top 9 questions about pool closing and Winter Pool Chemicals.
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What Are The Types Of Chlorinating Agents
There are two main types of chlorinating agents:
- inorganic chlorinating agents such as calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite, and
- organic chlorinating agents such as trichloroisocyanuric acid, potassium dichloroisocyanurate, sodium dichlorocyanurate .
Organic and inorganic chlorinating agents are not compatible with each other. Many incidents occur when the same scoop or pail is used for both products without cleaning them or when adding one product after the other or in the pool chlorinator. Mixing or cross-contamination of these products can form an explosive mixture.
Cyanuric Adjusting Chemicals For Pool Start Up
This is the next step in getting the chemicals in your pool set up. This one addresses something that isnt often tested in pool water, the cyanuric acid.
Most pools should have very little of this in them at start up. This builds up over time because of the chlorine added. The stabilizers are in the chemicals that you add to your pool water. These accumulate in your pool and affect the water.
This does take a while to build up, but testing for and correcting any of it found is important for a fully successful start up.
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Test And Adjust Total Alkalinity
Your pools Total Alkalinity represents the number of alkaline substances present in the water.
Every swimming pool should have a healthy amount of alkaline in it. Why?
Because alkaline is a pH stabilizer. So when your pools alkaline is properly adjusted, your pH fluctuates less.
Ideal Total Alkalinity range: 80 120 ppm
How to increase total alkalinity:
- Use sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda to increase total alkalinity.
- Use up to 25 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per 10,000 gallons of pool water.
How to decrease total alkalinity:
- Use sodium bisulfate
- Use muriatic acid
When using dry acid to decrease total alkalinity, follow the numbers in this chart from our friends at Pinch-a-Penny:
Alkalinity Adjusting Chemicals For Pool Start Up
If your pools initial test shows an incorrect amount of alkalinity, then you need to add some chemicals to fix it. It doesnt matter if it was too high or too low, chemicals are going to be needed.
This should be the first chemical that you add to your pool during start-up. This one can really affect the pH level of your pool. Sorting this out first prevents you from ruining your hard work on your pools pH level by doing it afterward.
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Pool Water Chemical Levels
For the most accurate pool water testing, we recommend a titration test kit the Taylor K-2005 is the same test kit used by pool stores.
The ranges shown here are suitable for any pool surface or any type of pool sanitizer used.
Adjusting to the lower end of these ranges is best under most circumstances.
Step 2 – Add Stain & Scale and Clarifier: Before you shock the pool, which can disrupt other pool start up chemicals, add a Stain & Scale chemical to prevent staining by keeping minerals and metals locked tightly in solution. Follow up with a good pool clarifier, following label dosage information, to help your filter remove small suspended particles.
Step 3 – Filter the Pool! Run the filter overnight or for 6-8 hours to distribute water balance chemicals, and then backwash or clean the filter as needed, and empty the pump and skimmer baskets. Run your filter 24/7 if possible, for the first few days after opening the pool from its winter slumber.
Before adding your pool opening chemicals, test the water again to be sure your adjustments hit the mark, and all water balance levels are correct, preferably on the lower end of the ranges.
Step 5 – Add Algaecide: The final product in our pool start up kits is the algaecide. Add your algaecide only after chlorine levels have dropped below 3 ppm, which is usually a few days after shocking the pool. High chlorine levels quickly deplete pool algaecides, or render them useless.
The Correct Order To Add Pool Chemicals
Weve outlined below the very best order that you can follow to add your pool chemicals for the perfect balance. If you follow these steps and directions, you should have no problems in the end.
Getting the hang of the process and understanding what your pool needs may take a little bit of time but you will get it. Just stick to the basic order and work from there.
Here is a quick review of the order to add chemicals when opening or adjusting your pool:
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The Importance Of Balanced Pool Water
Balanced pool water is clean, safe, healthy, and comfortable to swim in. And it will prevent damage to your pools structure and equipment.
Too much chlorine will cause skin and eye irritation, and potential illness, while too little will not be effective at killing bacteria, algae, and other contaminants.
If pH levels are too high, the water will become cloudy and create scale deposits on your pool walls and equipment. And if the pH levels are too low, the pool surfaces and equipment will become etched and corroded.
Simply put, unbalanced water can lead to plenty of unwanted issues with your pool. So do yourself and your pool a favour and keep your water balanced.
Only Use Approved Chemicals In Your Pool
If you cant find the pool chemicals that you need, mixing your own concoction is never the answer. According to the EPA, some common pool chemicals arent compatible with one another. Mixing these chemicals could cause a chemical reaction that could ignite combustible materials nearby or it can create highly toxic and corrosive chlorine gas.
If you have a hard time finding the pool chemicals that you need, dont resort to homegrown brews or homegrown mixtures. We know there are a lot of things that are in short supply right now. Pool chemicals are no exception. Its important to use things that are safe and certified for use in a pool. Its not the time to experiment.
He adds that basic personal protective equipment like goggles and gloves are essential. If youre using pool chemicals for a longer period, Dr. Fertel suggests using a face shield. And be sure to use these chemicals in a well-ventilated area.
Dr. Fertel says that most exposures to chemicals can be managed by just leaving the area. But when in doubt, seek medical help. And if someone ingests pool chemicals, contact your local poison control center immediately.
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How Long Should You Wait To Swim After Adding Pool Chemicals
When you have a swimming pool, pool chemicals will be your best friend if you want to keep it properly clean. After you add any pool chemicals, you always need to make sure the water levels are safe for you to get in. So always retest your water before diving in. If the pool water seems properly balanced, it should be completely safe to swim in your pool.
If you want to make sure how long you may need to wait after you have added pool chemicals, I have provided a quick guide that may help:
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Frustrated trying to keep your pool clear? Feeling confused about when to add the right chemicals? Get the perfect easy-to-use, illustrated ebook and video course today!
Adjust The Calcium Hardness
Calcium can build up around the edges of your pool and will be noticeable because of discoloration. As well as making your pool look dirty, it can also cause damage to the equipment as well as the pool structure.
The best range for calcium hardness is 200-400 PPM.
- To decrease calcium hardness, add fresh water to the pool
- You may need to partially drain your pool and then top up with fresh water to remove calcium. Also, you should brush your pool and then vacuum it to remove excess calcium
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Reconnect And Maintain All Pool Equipment
At pool opening time, you will want to reconnect all the equipment that you disconnected before the winter season. This usually includes the pool filter, pump, heater, automatic pool cleaner, in-line chlorinators, and all other pool equipment. This is also the time to reattach any ladders, hand rails, and other pool accessories that were taken down for winter.
When connecting your equipment, itâs a good idea to lubricate all o-rings, seals, and hardware with a silicone lubricant. This will keep the equipment working properly all year, and will make it easier for you to disassemble them when you close your pool.
Can You Add Pool Chemicals At The Same Time
Owning a swimming pool results in a list of daily, weekly and monthly tasks that need to be tended to keep the water safe, clean and fresh. Ignoring these basic duties can result in dangerous, dirty water and damage your swimming pool components. Youll need to take regular measurements of a variety of levels in the water and add the proper chemicals to get these levels back in balance. But when it comes to the additives, can you add pool chemicals at the same time? The fact is that theres a favoured order when it comes to adding pool chemicals. In this article, well detail this order as well as some other factors to keep in mind while maintaining your swimming pool water quality.
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Chemicals Are Vital For A Successful Pool Start Up
The chemicals for pool start up are really important for getting everything off on the right foot. Without doing this properly, your pool start up can turn into a lengthy ordeal.
However, to get this chemical balance right quickly, you need to have a clean pool. This cuts down on contaminates in your pool water and lets the chemicals work properly.
This can be a complicated job, which is why a lot of people use pool maintenance services for the start up and close down of their pools. This ensures your pool starts off right, and you can keep on top of chemical maintenance through the season.
Otherwise, you can sort the chemicals for pool start up yourself. However, it is going to take some precision and quite a few chemicals.
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What Chemicals To Add When & Why
Below is a detailed look at what order you should add the pool chemicals and why its important to do this. This methodology covers opening your pool after winter and also regular maintenance.
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The Importance Of Pool Chemicals
The CDC refers to the chlorine and pH level of your pool as your disinfection team. These two elements serve as the first defense against germs that can cause illness. While chlorine is very effective, it doesnt work instantly. And when things like dirt, skin cells, sunlight and even fecal matter end up in a pool, they can reduce chlorine levels.
The pH level determines how acidic or basic your pool water is. If the water has a high pH, its harder for chlorine to kill germs. Another thing to keep in mind is that your body can have a pH between 7.2 and 7.8. If pool water isnt in this pH range, youll be able to tell because your skin and eyes will become irritated. To ensure this doesnt happen to you or your guests, youll need to regularly check and adjust the chlorine and pH levels.
